The number of murders in New York this year fell to its lowest point in a half-century, mayor Michael Bloomberg said yesterday -- a bit of good news as the United States tries to combat rampant gun violence.

Crime rates and gun laws across the country have been in the spotlight since the December 14th slaying of 20 children and 6 adults at an elementary school in Connecticut by a 20-year-old, who also killed his mother and eventually himself.

Bloomberg, a long-time advocate of stricter firearms regulations, hailed the new record lows for both the homicides and shootings in the Big Apple, linking it to his administration's efforts to stop gun violence.

Bloomberg added that this reflects their commitment to doing everything possible to stop gun violence.